FAQs

Our FAQs are available for download and printing.

How do I become a firefighter?

The following link is a document geared toward high school students, but is valuable to anyone just getting started in researching the pathway to a career in the fire and emergency services: Career Pathway

Bees - Use your favorite internet search engine or local directory to search under "Bee Control & Removal Services". The Fire Department does not assist with bee removal, but can assist in a life-threatening situation when bees are attacking. Call 911 in life threatening situations.

Animal rescue and pests - Contact the San Diego Humane Society in Oceanside at (760) 757-4357 for assistance with snakes, dogs, cats, and other animals. In some instances the fire department may assist, but the calls should be routed through animal control services.

Carbon monoxide (CO) is colorless and odorless. If you have an alarm, evacuate the structure and call 911. Read the manufacturer's documentation for maintenance and know the indications of a low battery.

As of July 1, 2011, the Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Prevention Act (Senate Bill-SB183) will require all single-family homes with an attached garage or a fossil fuel source to install carbon monoxide alarms within the home by July 1, 2011. Owners of multi-family leased or rental dwellings, such as apartment buildings, had until January1, 2013, to comply with the law. See the following document for additional information on Carbon Monoxide:

To help firefighters and paramedics get to an emergency more quickly remember, when you hear a siren:

Look in all directions for emergency vehicles as you plan your next move. Be aware there may be more than one responding crew.

If you are at a green traffic light, look for emergency vehicles before proceeding through the intersection.

If you are at a red light, await a green light and then pull through and to the right as soon as safe. Proceeding through a red light is unsafe in any circumstance.

Never stop in an intersection. Continue through the intersection and then drive to the right as soon as possible.

Don't slam on your brakes.

Don't pull over suddenly.

Use your blinker to show emergency crews the direction you are moving.

On the freeway, carefully move out of the lane used by emergency crews; again, use your blinker.

Don't try to outrun the emergency vehicle.

It is illegal to follow within 300 feet of any emergency vehicle when it is answering an emergency call.

Don't stop in a place where the emergency vehicle can't get around you. Pulling over to the left can clog all lanes when there is a lot of traffic.

You must follow any traffic direction or signal given to you by a police officer or firefighter, even if it conflicts with existing signs, signals or laws. After the crew passes, carefully merge back into traffic.

Anyone driving to the scene of a fire, accident, or other emergency merely for sight-seeing purposes may be arrested. The City of Oceanside’s emergency crews are seeing a growing number of motorists who don't yield for the lights and sirens of fire engines and ambulances. It's not only unlawful to impede the response of emergency vehicles, you could be delaying life-saving medical help.